iPod Mods

Ever since the iPod first came out, enterprising souls have been looking for and experimenting with ways to modify both its hardware and its software. This is done for a variety of reasons - to introduce new functionality, to test the iPod under various conditions, and simply for the novelty and uniqueness that such an “iPod mod” would bring.

Coming up with new mods, either software or hardware types, is not easy for the typical user. But software mods, once discovered and tried out, often become available for download. And it’s much easier to customize the iPod’s software rather than its hardware, especially for users who are not handy with tools and tinkering.

In this light, one of the essential iPod mods is called iPod Linux. As its name would imply, this hack allows the running of the Linux operating system on any iPod - but of course it would be pointless on the Shuffle variants, as they have no screens. Linux on the iPod would allow the playback of OGG sound and music files, which are unsupported by the unmodified iPod.

But more importantly, once iPod Linux is up and running on your iPod, it becomes easy to find and download modules and applications that would work with iPod Linux to transform your iPod into something else. Linux is a full-featured operating system that has been around for some time now. It has already gained a dedicated user base. This means that the development of software for use with Linux is an active field which a modded iPod could very well take advantage of.

A wide variety of applications have been developed for use with iPod Linux. The most popular of these include, of course, games! Doom, a popular first person shooter, has already been ported for running on the iPod Linux system. Other popular games available for the iPod include arcade games such as Space Invaders and even Pac-man. Installing these games makes the iPod suddenly a versatile entertainment device and not just a digital music player any more.

More utilitarian software is also available. Support for digital encyclopedias such as Wikipedia, the user-created encyclopedia, is available for the iPod already. It is also now possible to convert DVD movies and footage into the format that an iPod would recognize and be able to play. This entails downloading software called a converter, and processing your DVDs using this software to produce files that can then be transferred to the iPod and played. And a myriad of other applications can be found - timers, a utility for turning the iPod into a universal remote control, and even simple text file editors!

Modding your iPod can be as simple as installing easily downloadable software on it, and virtually unlocking new features and capabilities. Be aware, however, that third party modifications such as this may void the warranty contract with Apple. A lot of people consider this a fair enough bargain for being able to customize their beloved iPods even further.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/ipod-mods/#more-8

iPod Prices

Having a portable music player is now becoming a commodity rather than being a luxury item. Many people are now buying their own Ipod players without considering much of the price values. This somehow reflects the drastic changes in prices of the brand. The differences in market costs are inflicting a new trend in commercial spending.

The early prices of the Ipod music players are high because of the of market introduction. Seemingly, the newer the item is in the market the higher price values it gets. However, because of longer time frames affect price values, the regular units of Ipods are now more consumer-friendly. Prices are dropping because of some causes coming from different aspects of marketing.

Initially, the price of the Ipod player does not have any comparable reference. This is understandable because there were no other music player brands available in the market. The high cost employed in the sale of the first ipod generations base purely on the economic factors of manufacturing them. However, because of the release of other models that comprise the whole Ipod family, the high cost values of Ipods are reduced at certain points in time. This explains the trends in business that gives good competition among brand items.

The introduction of Ipod Nano, Ipod shuffle and Ipod video has changed the price ranges of Ipods. Each of these models is using specific price ranges based on the technical features of the product. Apparently, the more features it has, the higher the street price. For example, the current market price of Ipod is at $249. The price may be steep but it compensates the 20,000 songs it is capable to store. On the other hand the Ipod Nano and Shuffle reached its price $149 and $79 respectively. There is no exact pricing pattern between the Ipod families because of the difference in specifications. The price of one model cannot justify the cost of another because of technical differences. Some distributors and resellers may apply varying price ranges depending on the availability of the item in their stores. For example, an Ipod may range from $199-$255 depending on the capacity of the unit and location of the shop.

On the other hand, the lowering prices that envelop the retail sale of Ipods applies to market shares. Since the introduction of the Ipod player, many big electronic manufacturers have followed suit to rival the success of the Ipod. This may bring great market competition that will eventually lead to lower player prices and wider brand choices. The public will always have a definite edge in choosing the best according to their preferences.

The rising and lowering prices of the ipod player have many factors. In the aspect of good marketing strategies, the manufacturer will always take the step in remodeling their products. This will help the public to take their pick among the various offerings Ipod has given to the commercial market.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/ipod-prices/#more-9

Used iPods

Is there any advantage to buying and owning used iPod’s? The answer to this question is a matter of opinion and can be a cause for a debate. Practicality is one simple trait modern consumers are currently aiming to have amid all these financial and economic troubles worldwide. And buying and using used iPods can very well help in saving some amounts of money.

If you are planning to invest in an iPod, you can choose to buy of course, a brand new unit. Now, you can also opt to acquire a used iPod, and you would definitely be surprised that there are many such goods offered and sold in the market today. All you need to do is to get in touch with shops selling both new and used iPods, and for sure, you could make a wise and practical purchase transaction.

Of course, buying a new iPod would reflect many advantages. For one, the quality is assured to be superb. Expect that the unit would be free from any minor or major damages. You can make sure that your iPod would be of the highest possible standard and state, like it is free form scratches, the music is good and the overall performance is A-ok.

However, one distinct disadvantage would be the significant cost of buying a new iPod. And this is how buying used iPods can be of great advantage. For sure, these used gadgets are sold at heavy discounted prices in the market today. The savings you could generate in buying old iPods instead of the brand new ones would very much offset any other issues in the purchase of the old gadgets.

As a disadvantage, of course, expect that old iPods would never be free of scratches. There are also minor defects that are limited to problems regarding the case or housing of the gadget. Another problem would be that the used iPods would possibly not be covered by warranty anymore. In that case, you would have to shed out money in case you would have the gadget repaired.

Used iPods can also be swapped for other units. If you are aiming to buy new iPod models and units, you could opt to trade in your used iPod so you could secure significant discounts on your purchase. This practice is very popular nowadays.

You can buy used iPods at cheap prices. That is one unique and apparent advantage to buying such second hand gadgets. Who says you have to spend so much to own the iPod you’ve been eyeing for?



http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/used-ipods/

Whats Inside Your iPod?

The iPod has become a part of the global culture, since its first introduction in October 2001. The portable music player and others of its kind have left their mark on society and social behavior. Many have gotten curious and wondered, what exactly is inside an iPod?

For an iPod video, here are the main hardware components contained inside the case.

There is a hard drive, of course, for storage. This hard drive is a 1.8 inch Toshiba one with 30, 60, or 80 GB capacity. It features a USB interface, and runs at 4200 rpm. It weighs only 1.7 ounces or 48 grams and manages to fit 30 GB (or more) onto a single platter. This comes to about 93.5 gigabits per square inch. This high density is made possible by the use of smaller, lighter sliders, as well as improved thin-film technology with higher sensitivity for the read/write heads and the platter.

Then there is a rechargeable lithium-ion 700 mAh, 3.7 V batteries, a typical battery using the latest technology to make it fit the iPod’s form factor with maximum performance.

Then of course a 2.5 inch TFT LCD. This display is 16-bit and has a resolution of 320×240 pixels. It is also extremely thin, measuring only 0.125 inches or 3.175 mm in depth.

The chips and other processors such as the Broadcom BCM2722 video chip and the Wolfson Microelectronics WM8758 codec are found on a single motherboard. Because of the iPod’s smaller size, these chips use thin-film technology to connect to one another instead of the plastic connectors that larger devices usually use.

Perhaps the most interesting hardware in the iPod is the click wheel mechanism. Incorporated into this mechanism are five mechanical buttons corresponding to play/pause, forward, backward, menu, and the middle select button. These work much the same as other electronic buttons: by pressing them, metal contacts are made which complete the appropriate circuits on the motherboard.

The touch-sensitive wheel itself works much like a laptop’s touchpad does. In fact, Synaptics, a company widely known for its production of laptop touchpads, provided the touch wheels for the 4G iPod. (But Apple came up with its own proprietary design for the 5G iPod’s clickwheel.) The main concept behind this touch-sensitive hardware is that the touch of a human finger (or anything else that might conduct electricity) induces a change in the capacitance of the mechanism, which can be tracked via a built-in grid.

What software is then used with this hardware, to complete the iPod unit? The iPod 5G reportedly runs on the Pixo OS 2.1 operating system. Along with this comes PortalPlayer’s Digital Media Platform, which includes support for audio decoders, firmware customizations, as well as other software development tools. And of course software for the corresponding video and audio chips come installed on every iPod.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/whats-inside-your-ipod/#more-11

iPod Games

The trend of iPods being music only is long gone. With the release of the 5th generation iPod last year, it has changed the way we think about iPods. Not only do they play music, but they also allow us to watch movies. The iPod community was shocked when Apple announced the release of several games for the iPod.

In the second half of last year, apple released a number of games to be purchased from iTunes music store. The games include Sudoku, Ms Pac Man, iQuiz, Vortex, Tetris, Texas Holdem, Cubis 2, Zuma, Pac Man, Mini Golf, Mahjong, Bejeweled and Royal Solitaire. The games can be purchased at iTunes music store for $4.99 each.

The games currently only work on 5th generation iPods (iPod Video). There is a huge range of different games to choose from. Just about everyone will find something that they like and is enjoyable for them to play.

The release of these few games was a highly successful release for Apple. Within a few weeks there was a huge amount of users across the globe that purchased one or more of the games. There is a rumor that there will be another set of new iPod games released very soon for the 6 month anniversary since the first games were released.

This article is intended to be placed on this website only. If this article is published anywhere other than this website it is against our copyright terms. If you want to use this article you may only link to this page.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/ipod-games/#more-13

iPhone VS iPod

The iPhone has been popping up in technology websites and magazines ever since it was only a concept with no real basis in reality. Years of speculation about the product have proved it to be the most intently followed unconfirmed product in the history of Apple. Finally, on January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, announced the iPhone, an Internet- and multimedia enabled mobile phone, in his keynote address at the Macworld Conference and Expo.

The iPhone’s functions combine those of three devices: a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and an Internet communications device. The iPhone also sports a slim and sleek form factor worthy of the Apple brand name. But by far the most striking thing about the iPhone is its huge touchscreen which almost completely takes up the front of the device.

The iPhone will not have a traditional keypad or even the iPod clickwheel, but will instead rely completely on a revolutionary new touch screen (dubbed a multi-touch display) for its user interface. The touch screen measures 3.5 inches or 8.9 cm, and is a 320×480 liquid crystal display. Unlike most current mobile phone touchscreens, the iPhone’s screen will not require a stylus, being designed for bare fingers.

This promises a new and novel way of manipulating the interface. Sliding motions can be used, as well as “pinching” or “unpinching”, which refers to placing two fingers (usually thumb and forefinger) on the screen and sliding them closer or farther apart. The interface will be designed to have a natural feel, and it is to be hoped that the whole touchscreen idea is implemented well.

The Internet browser of the iPhone is shaping up to be something special, as well. The bundled browser is the Safari browser that comes with Mac OS X, and this will display full web pages instead of the simplified versions usually seen on other Internet phones. The iPhone will have support for WiFi, EDGE, and Bluetooth.

An exciting feature is Apple’s agreement with Google – a specially optimized version of Google Maps will be available on the iPhone!

Generally, though, the iPhone will not be bringing any new mobile phone features into play, but will have support for most common phone features found on high-end units such as the various connectivity protocols (Bluetooth, EDGE, etc.) as well as the inclusion of a 2.0 megapixel camera with support for video capture.

The iPhone is indeed shaping up to be a formidable entrant into the mobile smartphone arena, with its typical Apple stylishness and (expected) well thought-out interface. However, as long as actual products are not yet out on the market, all this hype should be taken with a grain of salt. (Judge the iPhone for real when you have one in your hand, and not a moment before!)




http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/iphone-vs-ipod/#more-24

Innovation and the iPod

The Corporation has constantly developed the easy of use products. The iPod is a good example of growing the brand innovation strategy achieved via effective and pragmatic innovation. It gives good experience to customers through direct download option with easy-to-use listening option, so that people are ready to pay the price for it. Additionally, the iPod is a connection with other Apple’s products as it must be used with a hand-held product. This way the Apple Corporation extends its brand visually and technically. Besides, the Apple Corporation produces the iMac. This product introduction at the market widened the Apple brand popularity via easy-to-use interface, good price and aesthetic product evolution.

When innovation occurs, it is spread from the innovator to a company. The innovation circle of a company must include service design, product design, and brand design methods. The innovation circle can be described using the diffusion or in other words, the ‘s-curve’. Companies usually work on new innovations that will finally replace the previous ones. Effective diffusion curves replace the previous ones and continue the growth. The dilemma of innovation management is the challenge for the company to understand how to become innovative. The innovation circle can be very effective for a company.

Benchmarking is a process of improvement when a company compares its work with the best organizations, defines how the companies achieve the work level. After the investigation a company uses the data for improving its own work. Competitive benchmarking is used for analyzing competitors. When you research your direct competitors, you research the best company in the industry. Then this benchmark company is used as a standard for improving your own business.

Summarizing, the company innovation is the brand, product and service innovation which should go together for achieving the best possible result in a competitive world. Consequently, Porter’s recommendations concerning the strategy formation are based on the concept that a company has some competitive advantages. However, it is not clear how these advantages have been achieved. The model is used only in case of growth retardation and sectors’ stagnation. Porter's model has constantly been challenged by other academics and strategists such as Coyne, Neill, Subramaniam and others, who have extended it. Porter’s theory has been elaborated for a product of his time, when there was a relatively stable environment. Five forces theory does not point out what competitors are described - actual or potential and what substituted are meant - internal or external. Porter’s five forces theory does not have a very clear taxonomy. Moreover, his theory does not make much emphasis on technology and innovationFree Articles, which are very important nowadays.



http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/innovation-and-the-ipod.html

The Apple iPod is also a great learn and resource tool!

Do you know that the Apple iPod is more than just a music player? It can also work as a digital organizer but most importantly, it opens up another great opportunity for knowledge and resource learning.

Using the iPod to gain knowledge quickly and effectively!

There is no doubt that the Apple iPod has become a common item amongst today's youth as a great music player. But is the iPod more than just a music player?In fact, the iPod is more than a music player. It is also a great teaching and learning tool as well. And it is guaranteed to help you learn fast.

Audio Books

Besides music, the iPod also plays audio books. These are essentially books that has been converted into a audio format and saved as a MP3 file. From a technical angle, there is no difference in the file format between a music or a book and you can download and play the same audio book off your computer or your iPod.

This opens you to a whole library of 'books' for your iPod. These can include many great books found in public domains and downloaded for free. There are also many good commercial 'books' that you can purchase for a small price. These audio books are great as you can play them over and over again in the car, on the train or even on the plane. It's a good way to kill time and gain knowledge at the same time.

The best thing about audio books is that you do not need to read. Let the book read to you and this can be a great enhancement for learning while driving or while sitting in a shaky bus or train.

Podcasting

Have you also heard of podcasting? If you have not, these are simply audio files published by individuals or companies covering interest topics ranging from music, technology, current affairs, news, politics, cars, sales and marketing, electronics, fashion to many other interesting niche areas.

They then put up these audio files in certain podcast stations on the internet.

Most podcast are free and you can download and treat them just like audio books. Similarly, you can subscribe and organize these podcast on your computer iTunes and then synchronize them to your iPod. It's also a great way to gain knowledge while driving or taking transport to school or work.

What is gaining fast popularity today is video podcast. Video podcast are essentially video files that can be downloaded and again, it covers a great genre of subject. (As a matter of fact, I am learning about designing my own podcast by watching a video podcast of this subject.)

However, you can only watch a video podcast on your computer or on the latest iPod video model. All earlier models of iPod will not be capable of playing video. With the iPod video, you can also output the video signal to a normal TV and watch the entire podcast on TV as well.

What's more, you can watch them, stop themFeature Articles, rewind them or repeat these audio or video podcasts as often as you like. What better way to learn?So who says that iPods are meant for music only?



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Katherine Xie has 4 iPods starting from the 2G model. She runs a popular website, http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com, that gives tips on iPods as well as showcase quality iPod accessories from Japan. Please feel free to distribute this article as long as credit and reference is made to her website.

Instant iPod Shuffle Downloads

Since the iPod Shuffle was introduced to the public on Jan/11/2005. Tons of college students, business executives and energetic fitness fanatics have been exploding their Pods with thousands of media movie down loads and music downloads.

With over 100 million active user's and the millions if not into the billions spent on this ultimate MP3 machine. It's no wonder thousands of people have been searching for alternative ways to get their media content to thier shuffle. Currently the average price for a Shuffle is (3G) is $249. So why should anyone have to spend 99¢ download for a songs or $9.99 for movies.

Outside The Box

Did you know the average iTunes member down loads a minimum of 300 songs and 20 movies a year. That's $500 a year on just down loads. WOW! Did you also know that iTunes is losing customer's and members by the hundreds each and every year. It won't take you long to figure that one out. These people are exploring their options.

Over 300 Million & Growing Strong

iPod Shuffle and all other Mp3 owner's you are not limited. There is a gigantic network with millions of media content filed with movies galore, there has even been claims that it might be as big as 100 million files or even 300 million, but the point is you do not have to be locked into one system. You have options.

Get Connected

Where do you find access to this network, you might ask? There are a ton of hub stations online, you may have even heard of some the more popular ones such as: iPod Download Pro or iPod Net Downloads . These are just some of the more popular Shuffle download sites online. You can use them to get access.

There are hundreds more. Some charge $20 to $40 to access the network. Over all they are all some what a like however there are those that are not safe to get your content form or use what so ever.

Unwanted Extra Benefits

When you choose to move away from the iTunes system and begin to explore your options, you will see lots to choose from. There are several iPodshuffle download sites out there just be cautious which ones or one you decide to use. Some come with unwanted viruses and spyware when you down load content and others don't.

It's hard to determine which ones are dangerous by yourself, so the best way to avoid this hassle is to find a review site that you feel comfortable with (Most Have Excellent Reviews) and choose by using their list. It's been said that these review sites go through a lot of trouble gathering & testing information spending their hard earned money to see what you get if it were money.

You can have unlimited access to over 300 million movies, music & games for your iPod Shuffle."Imagine having each and every songArticle Search, movie or game you ever wanted right at your finger tips" You Can!




http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/entertainment/instant-ipod-shuffle-downloads.html

What Makes an IPOD successful?

The author analyzes why the IPOD has been so successful.

What Makes an IPOD successful? I got an Apple ipod mini music player last Christmas. It was by far the most popular electronic gift worldwide. What made it become popular in a field where much cheaper mp3 players were a dime a dozen in the market? Even with the vaunted Apple name, the ipod took some time to take off. When it was introduced in November of 2001, it took 18 months before it sold 1 million units. Since then it has skyrocketed. It reportedly hit 10 million units sold by end of 2004, with over 2 million sold in the third quarter 2004, and 4.5 million sold in the fourth quarter 2004, which was more than a fivefold increase from less than a million sold in the fourth quarter of 2003. There are many reasons put forward why it is so successful. It is simple to use, it is stylish, it is solid, it works, it is backed by huge marketing, and it is backed by Apple which has a very strong brand. Obviously, all these factors are important, but I would like to advance 2 main reasons.

1.) Style and the cool factor is very important, and Apple has always had lots of it. After all, that is also the reason why people would fork out more money to buy a Levi?s jean or a Nike sneaker. Branding has become so strong that people were not looking to buy an mp3 player, but an ipod. It had become almost like a cultural icon, much akin to saying that you don't want just a watch, but a Rolex, or not just a car, but a BMW. Nokia became the world's largest cell phone manufacturer in the 90s because they realize that what people want was not just a functional cell phone, but a fashion accessory. They came out with cell phone that allows you to change casing to match your clothes, and came out with phones that you could show off. Much the same as the Ipod -- you wouldn?t want to be seen with anything else! Understanding this phenomena is becoming important to success. A successful business should understand why somebody would willingly pay 15,000 dollars for a Cartier watch ( when there are many nice watches for less than 100 dollars) yet choose to drive 2 extra kilometers to buy shampoo at the local price discount club rather than in the supermarket so that she can save 40 cents.

2.) But I always believe that a product succeeds not just on hype but on clear business fundamentals. And one of the things I know that did make Apple successful was their understanding that people would also willingly pay more than what they actually need. After all, what is the point of selling an Ipod that could store 10,000 songs? That could take months or even years to listen to it even just one time! So many manufacturers were selling mp3 players that could just store 1 or 2 hours of songs, instead of 600 hours worth. But then, the technology landscape is really full of examples that shows people behave illogically, and really want to get what they think they MIGHT need, rather than what they actually need. We take pride in getting a camera that can do 8 megapixels resolution even if all we can distinguish or need is just 2 megapixels. We eagerly dump our email system because we find their allowance of 2 megabyte is too tight ( but really adequate), and go for providers that offer 1 gigabyte. Every year, we see millions of people put in money to buy Microsoft Office, when all the features they know how to use can be satisfied with the less expensive Microsoft Works. Virtually every customer we have that uses our accounting or payroll system use only less than half of the features. Every street corner we see cars that can deliver twice or thrice the speed than the owner is really legally allowed to go, or will ever go.

How many of us get Ipods that can store 600 hours of music, when all we have in our collection is just less than 100 hours? Do we really need that much? No, but we would like to believe we do or fear we potentially will. We all like to think big, dream big, and believe that our needs are far more than ordinary. And I guess to providers who know how to utilize this penchant, and who does not provide only what we need, but delight us by providing morePsychology Articles, will always have a niche in our pockets.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wilson Ng has founded and still manages 6 companies, including 4 in the technology arena the last 12 years. He was awarded the technology entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young for 2004 in the Philippines for small business.He loves to write, and have written a technology column for a paper for the last 9 years. He currently maintains a blog at www.bizdrivenlife.net